Gauge wheel and universal scraper for use with a conventional row planter assembly

ABSTRACT

A ground opening disc scraper assembly comprising: a scraper arm having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is configured for mounting to a support structure; a scraper blade; and a tensioning clip for yieldably mounting the scraper blade to the distal end of the scraper arm.

REFERENCE TO PENDING PRIOR PATENT APPLICATIONS

This patent application:

(1) is a continuation-in-part of pending prior U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/962,038, filed 12/08/2015 by Ron Hesla for GAUGE WHEEL ANDUNIVERSAL SCRAPER FOR USE WITH A CONVENTIONAL ROW PLANTER ASSEMBLY(Attorney's Docket No. HESLA-4 CON), which patent application:

-   -   (A) is a continuation of prior U.S. patent application Ser. No.        13/344,531, filed Jan. 5, 2012 by Ron Hesla for GAUGE WHEEL AND        UNIVERSAL SCRAPER FOR USE WITH A CONVENTIONAL ROW PLANTER        ASSEMBLY (Attorney's Docket No. HESLA-4), which patent        application:        -   (i) is a continuation-in-part of prior U.S. patent            application Ser. No. 11/803,447, filed May 15, 2007 by Ron            Hesla for NOVEL GAUGE WHEEL FOR USE WITH A CONVENTIONAL ROW            PLANTER ASSEMBLY (Attorney's Docket No. HESLA-0102), which            patent application:            -   (a) claims benefit of prior U.S. Provisional Patent                Application Ser. No. 60/800,550, filed May 15, 2006 by                Ron Hesla for GAUGE WHEEL FOR USE WITH A CONVENTIONAL                ROW PLANTER ASSEMBLY (Attorney's Docket No. HESLA-1                PROV); and            -   (b) claims benefit of prior U.S. Provisional Patent                Application Ser. No. 60/922,867, filed Apr. 11, 2007 by                Ron Hesla for GAUGE WHEEL FOR USE WITH A CONVENTIONAL                ROW PLANTER ASSEMBLY (Attorney's Docket No. HESLA-2                PROV); and        -   (ii) claims benefit of prior U.S. Provisional Patent            Application Ser. No. 61/429,948, filed Jan. 5, 2011 by Ron            Hesla for SCRAPER ARM (Attorney's Docket No. HESLA-4 PROV);            and

(2) claims benefit of pending prior U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/098,947, filed Dec. 31, 2014 by Pro Mags LLC and Ron Heslafor GROUND OPENING DISC SCRAPER (Attorney's Docket No. HESLA-9 PROV).

The seven (7) above-identified patent applications are herebyincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to agricultural machinery in general, and moreparticularly to a novel gauge wheel and a novel universal scraper foruse with a conventional row planter assembly to facilitate planting inadverse conditions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Row planter assemblies are designed to plant rows in an agriculturalfield, with a plurality of parallel rows being planted with each pass ofthe row planter assembly. More particularly, with the row planterassembly, for each row, a row unit opens a furrow in the soil,distributes the seed into the furrow, and then closes the furrow bypushing soil back over the seed.

The row planter assemblies have a plurality of the aforementioned rowunits, one for each row being planted. Each row unit has four maincomponents: (i) a pair of gauge wheels which support the row unit on thesoil being planted and which regulate the depth of the seed furrow; (ii)a pair of opening discs (sometimes referred to as a “double discopener”) set at an angle to one another for opening the furrow in thesoil, with the depth of the opening discs being set relative to thegauge wheels; (iii) a planter for distributing seeds in the open furrow;and (iv) a pair of closing wheels set at an angle to one another forpushing the soil back over the seeds.

More particularly, and looking now at FIGS. 1-5, there is shown a rowplanter assembly 1. Row planter assembly 1 generally comprises aplurality of row units 7. Each row unit 7 comprises a pair of gaugewheels 5 and a pair of opening discs 10. Gauge wheels 5 support theframe 15 of the row planter assembly 1 on the soil. The two openingdiscs 10 of the double disc opener are carried by frame 15 of rowplanter assembly 1, with the two opening discs 10 of the double diskopener being configured in the shape of a V. The depth of the twoopening discs 10 protrude below the depth of the gauge wheels 5 and, asa result, when the row unit is moved across the soil 20, the openingdiscs 10 form a furrow 25 in the soil. The gauge wheels 5 are positionedon either side of the opening discs 10, in close lateral proximity tothe opening discs, and by virtue of their adjustable connection to frame15, set the depth of the opening discs 10 (i.e., the depth ofpenetration of the opening discs 10 into the soil 20). A planter 30(e.g., a seed tube) is spaced just back from the opening discs 10 of thedouble disc opener and serves to deposit seeds into the opened furrow25. The closing wheels 35 are positioned at the back end of the rowunit, and comprise a pair of angled wheels which close the soil 20 backover the deposited seeds.

As noted above, in order to properly set the depth of the opening discs10 (i.e., the depth of penetration of the opening discs 10 into the soil20), it is important for the gauge wheels 5 to be set in close lateralproximity to the opening discs 10. In relatively dry soil conditions,this does not present a significant problem, since the dry soil can moveeasily through the gap (i.e., the intervening space) between the openingdiscs 10 and the gauge wheels 5. However, in wet soil conditions, thesoil is “sticky” (in the sense that it tends to bind to itself) andthere is a significant problem with soil building-up on the outsides ofthe opening discs 10 and the insides of the gauge wheels 5. To this end,a scraper 40 is typically provided to scrape dirt off the face ofopening disc 10. However, when the soil is sticky, soil scraped off theface of opening disc 10 still builds up between the opening disc 10 andthe inside of the gauge wheel 5. Thus, the gap between the opening discs10 and the gauge wheels 5 can become clogged or plugged with mud, whichprevents the opening discs 10 and gauge wheels 5 from rotating on theiraxles. When the gauge wheels 5 stop rotating on their axles, the gaugewheels 5 tend to “drag” across the soil, so that the gauge wheels 5 canno longer reliably set the depth of the furrow 25. Among other things,when the gauge wheels 5 get clogged or plugged with soil in theforegoing manner, the gauge wheels tend to skid across the top of thesoil, destroying the seed furrow 25, so that seed is left on top of theground rather than deposited into a furrow. In this respect it should beappreciated that the depth of the furrow 25 is generally important forproper crop growth. When the gauge wheels 5 stop rotating so that theycan no longer accurately set furrow depth, the farmer must interrupt theplanting operation, climb down from the tractor, manually remove the mudfrom the space between the opening discs 10 and the gauge wheels 5,climb back up onto the tractor and resume planting—until the machineryclogs once again, in which case the planting operation must be haltedonce more while the machinery is cleaned in the foregoing manner.

Planting in wet conditions, using conventional row planter assemblies,is extremely time-consuming and labor intensive. For example, if theoperator of the planter assembly is required to stop the machineryapproximately every ten minutes and spend approximately five minutescleaning the gap between the opening discs 10 and the gauge wheels 5,productivity is reduced by 33%. Furthermore, operator fatigue issignificantly increased, due to the additional exertion of climbing downfrom the tractor, manually cleaning the space between the opening discs10 and the gauge wheels 5, and climbing back up into the tractor toresume planting. This loss of productivity and increase in operatorfatigue are significant problems, particularly in certain climatesand/or for certain crops, one or both of which may have very limitedplanting periods.

Various efforts have been made in an effort to keep the gauge wheel freeof soil build-up. Many of these approaches incorporate the use ofscrapers for scraping soil build-up off of the opening discs. However,this type of solution is not entirely satisfactory, since in many casesthe scrapers merely push the wet soil off of the opening discs and ontothe gauge wheel, and fail to prevent a build-up of soil in the gapbetween the opening discs and the gauge wheel. In addition, currentscrapers are not entirely satisfactory. For one thing, current scrapersare generally attached to the frame 15 of the row planter assembly 1using an attachment arm. See, for example, FIGS. 4, 6 and 7, wherescraper 40 comprises an attachment arm 42 for mounting a scraper blade43 to frame 15. This attachment arm can block soil from exiting the gapbetween the opening discs and the gauge wheels. Furthermore, currentscrapers employ a wide variety of different attachment arms for mountingthe scraper blade to the frame of the row planter assembly. This canpresent inventory issues for dealers, since it requires stocking alarger inventory of attachment arms. In addition, the lack ofstandardization in attachment arms can present serious issues forfarmers, since it may complicate obtaining a replacement part if andwhen a scraper is damaged in the field. It will be appreciated that anydelay in obtaining a replacement part can be disastrous if the delayoccurs during a critical planting time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one object of the present invention to provide animproved gauge wheel for use with a conventional row planter assembly,wherein the improved gauge wheel facilitates the egress of soil(particularly sticky wet soil) from the gap located between the openingdisc and the gauge wheel.

Another object of the present invention to provide a universal scraperfor use with a conventional row planter assembly, wherein the universalscraper may be used with a wide range of conventional row planterassemblies.

And another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedrow planter assembly which utilizes the aforementioned improved gaugewheels and/or the aforementioned universal scrapers so as to avoid theproblems associated with the prior art.

These and other objects are addressed by the present invention, whichcomprises the provision and use of a novel gauge wheel which prevents abuild-up of soil in the gap between the opening disc and the gaugewheel. More particularly, the novel gauge wheel comprises at least oneopening formed in the face of the gauge wheel which permits soil to exitthe gap between the opening disc and the gauge wheel. As a result ofthis construction, soil does not build up in the gap between the openingdisk and the gauge wheel, the gauge wheels continue to rotate freely,and the depth of the opening discs is properly maintained, wherebyplanting may continue without interruption, even in wet soil conditions.

The present invention also comprises the provision and use of a noveluniversal scraper for use with a conventional row planter assembly,wherein the universal scraper may be used with a wide range ofconventional row planter assemblies.

And the present invention provides an improved row planter assemblywhich utilizes the aforementioned improved gauge wheels and/or theaforementioned universal scrapers so as to avoid the problems associatedwith the prior art.

In one preferred form of the present invention, there is provided auniversal scraper for use with an opening disc, the universal scrapercomprising:

an elongated body having a first end and a second end, the first endbeing adapted to mount to an axle, and the second end being adapted toreceive a scraper blade, wherein the elongated body is sized and shapedso that when the first end of the elongated body is attached to an axleand a scraper blade is mounted to the second end of the elongated body,the scraper blade is presented in scraping disposition to the openingdisc.

In another preferred form of the present invention, there is providedapparatus for opening ground, the apparatus comprising:

a frame;

an opening disc rotatably mounted to the frame; and

a universal scraper for scraping the opening disc, the universal scrapercomprising:

-   -   an elongated body having a first end and a second end, the first        end being adapted to mount to an axle, and the second end being        adapted to receive a scraper blade, wherein the elongated body        is sized and shaped so that when the first end of the elongated        body is attached to an axle and a scraper blade is mounted to        the second end of the elongated body, the scraper blade is        presented in scraping disposition to the opening disc.

In another preferred form of the present invention, there is provided arow planter assembly comprising:

a frame;

an opening disc rotatably mounted to the frame;

a gauge wheel rotatably mounted to the frame and disposed alongside, butspaced from, the opening disc so as to create a narrow gap therebetween;

wherein the gauge wheel comprises at least one opening in the side wallthereof so as to permit soil to pass from the gap located between theopening disk and the gauge wheel to the region outside of the gaugewheel; and

a universal scraper mounted to an axle supporting one of the openingdisc and the gauge wheel.

In another preferred form of the present invention, there is provided amethod for opening ground, the method comprising:

providing a frame, an opening disc rotatably mounted to the frame, and auniversal scraper for scraping the opening disc, the universal scrapercomprising an elongated body having a first end and a second end, thefirst end being adapted to mount to an axle, and the second end beingadapted to receive a scraper blade, wherein the elongated body is sizedand shaped so that when the first end of the elongated body is attachedto an axle and a scraper blade is mounted to the second end of theelongated body, the scraper blade is presented in scraping dispositionto the opening disc; and

moving the opening disc through the ground.

In another preferred form of the present invention, there is provided aground opening disc scraper assembly comprising:

a scraper arm having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein theproximal end is configured for mounting to a support structure;

a scraper blade; and

a tensioning clip for yieldably mounting the scraper blade to the distalend of the scraper arm.

In another preferred form of the present invention, there is provided amethod for removing soil and debris from a ground opening disc, themethod comprising:

providing a ground opening disc and a ground opening disc scraperassembly, the ground opening disc scraper assembly comprising:

-   -   a scraper arm having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein        the proximal end is configured for mounting to a support        structure;    -   a scraper blade; and    -   a tensioning clip for yieldably mounting the scraper blade to        the distal end of the scraper arm; and

positioning the ground opening disc scraper assembly adjacent to theground opening disc so that the scraper blade yieldably engages theground opening disc.

In another preferred form of the present invention, there is provided aground opening disc scraper assembly comprising:

a scraper arm having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein theproximal end is configured for mounting to a support structure;

a hinged scraper blade mounted to the distal end of the scraper arm; and

a tensioning clip for yieldably biasing the hinged scraper blade againstthe opening disc.

In another preferred form of the present invention, there is provided amethod for removing soil and debris from a ground opening disc, themethod comprising:

providing a ground opening disc and a ground opening disc scraperassembly, the ground opening disc scraper assembly comprising:

-   -   a scraper arm having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein        the proximal end is configured for mounting to a support        structure;    -   a hinged scraper blade mounted to the distal end of the scraper        arm; and    -   a tensioning clip for yieldably biasing the hinged scraper blade        against the opening disc; and

positioning the ground opening disc scraper assembly adjacent to theground opening disc so that the scraper blade yieldably engages theground opening disc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects and features of the present invention will bemore fully disclosed or rendered obvious by the following detaileddescription of the preferred embodiments of the invention, which is tobe considered together with the accompanying drawings wherein likenumbers refer to like parts and further wherein:

FIG. 1 is a rear view showing a prior art row planter assembly;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a prior art opening disc, gaugewheel and closing wheels of a row unit of a planter assembly;

FIG. 3 is a front view showing prior art opening discs and gauge wheelsof a row planter assembly;

FIG. 4 is a top view showing prior art opening discs, scrapers, gaugewheels and closing wheels of a row planter assembly;

FIG. 5 is a rear view showing prior art opening discs, gauge wheels,seed tube and closing wheels of a row unit of a row planter assembly;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a prior art gauge wheel, scraper andopening discs of a row unit of a row planter assembly, with soil shownadhering to the outside face of the opening disc and the inside face ofthe gauge wheel;

FIG. 7 illustrates prior art opening discs, scraper and gauge wheels ofa row unit of a row planter assembly, with soil shown lodged in the gapbetween the opening disc and the gauge wheel;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a novel gauge wheel formed inaccordance with the present invention, and also showing an opening disc,scraper and closing wheels;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view showing a novel gauge wheel formed inaccordance with the present invention, and also showing opening discsand a scraper;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an alternative form of a gaugewheel also formed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a novel form of scraper alsoformed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a front view showing the scraper of FIG. 11 removing soilfrom the outside face of the opening disc;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing soil exiting an opening in a gaugewheel formed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a side view showing an alternative approach for mounting thescraper adjacent the opening disc;

FIG. 15 is a side view showing one way of effecting the constructionshown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a side view showing another way of effecting the constructionshown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a side view showing another form of scraper, with anothermounting arrangement;

FIG. 18 is a side view showing another form of scraper, with anothermounting arrangement;

FIG. 19 is a side view showing another form of scraper, with anothermounting arrangement;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing further details of theconstruction shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a gauge wheel liner formed inaccordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 22 is a side view in section taken along line 22-22 of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing a gauge wheel deflector formed inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing another form of gauge wheel linerformed in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 25 and 26 are schematic views showing how dirt may build upbetween a frame-mounted scraper and force the scraper away from theopening disc;

FIGS. 27 and 28 are schematic views showing a novel universal scraperformed in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 29-50 are schematic views showing various components of the noveluniversal scraper shown in FIGS. 27 and 28;

FIGS. 51-55 are schematic views showing the novel universal scraper withan associated rear surface scraper;

FIGS. 56 and 57 are schematic views showing frame-mounted scraper armsfor scraping the surface of an opening disc;

FIG. 58 is a schematic view showing various configurations ofhub-mounted scraper arms and scraper blades formed in accordance withthe present invention;

FIGS. 59, 59A, 59B, 60 and 61 are schematic views showing a novelhub-mounted scraper formed in accordance with the present invention,wherein the scraper blade is mounted to the scraper arm by means of anovel resilient tensioning clip;

FIG. 62 is a schematic view showing further details of a novel resilienttensioning clip formed in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 62A and 62B are schematic views showing an alternativeconfiguration for mounting a scraper blade to a scraper arm by means ofthe novel resilient tensioning clip of FIG. 62;

FIGS. 63 and 64 are schematic views of a distal scraper blade extensionformed in accordance with the present invention which allowssimultaneous scraping of both the front and back sides of a groundopening disc;

FIGS. 65 and 66 are schematic views showing how a blade holder may besecured to the scraper arm and used to mount a scraper blade to thescraper arm;

FIG. 66A is a schematic view showing further details of the hub-mountedscraper shown in FIGS. 59, 60 and 61;

FIGS. 66B and 66C are schematic views showing twisting of the scraperblade relative to the scraper arm, wherein torsional force isaccommodated by the resilient tensioning clip;

FIG. 67 is a schematic view of another novel scraper blade formed inaccordance with the present invention; and

FIGS. 68 and 69 are schematic views showing frame-mounted scrapers,wherein the frame-mounted scraper of FIG. 68 utilizes a resilienttensioning clip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Looking first at FIGS. 8 and 9, the present invention generallycomprises the provision and use of a novel gauge wheel 105 whichprevents a build-up of soil in the gap between the opening disc 10 andthe gauge wheel. More particularly, the novel gauge wheel 105 comprisesat least one opening 107 formed in the face of the gauge wheel whichpermits soil to exit the gap between the opening disc 10 and the gaugewheel 105. As a result of this construction, soil does not build up inthe gap between the opening disc 10 and the gauge wheel 105, the gaugewheels 105 continue to rotate freely, and the depth of the opening discs10 are properly maintained, whereby planting may continue withoutinterruption, even in wet soil conditions.

In one preferred construction, and still looking now at FIGS. 8 and 9,gauge wheel 105 comprises a pair of diametrically-opposed openings 107,with the openings extending along a substantial portion (e.g., greaterthan about 30%) of the radius of the gauge wheel.

And in a preferred construction, each of the openings 107 extends alonga substantial arc (e.g., greater than about 50 degrees) of thecircumference of the gauge wheel.

Of course, it will be appreciated that the number, size and dispositionof the openings 107 may vary. In general, openings 107 are sufficient innumber, size and disposition to permit soil to exit the gap locatedbetween the opening disc 10 and the gauge wheel 105, so as to keep soilfrom building up in this region and causing gauge wheel 105 to bind.However, it will also be appreciated that sufficient material must bemaintained within the face of gauge wheel 105 so as to ensure sufficientwheel integrity to support the weight of the row planter assembly.

In addition to the foregoing, the portions of gauge wheel 105 formingthe perimeters of the opening 107 may have various configurations, e.g.,the surface edges of the openings may be tapered to facilitate egress ofsoil through the openings, the corners of openings 107 may be radiused,etc.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated that gauge wheel 105 may be formedout of any suitable material or materials, e.g., the entire gauge wheel105 may be formed out of a suitable metal, a suitable plastic, etc.; orthe gauge wheel 105 may be formed out of two or more materials, e.g., ametal inner rim and a plastic outer rim, etc.

Preferably, a scraper (e.g., the scraper 40 shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7,or the scraper 140 shown in FIGS. 8-13, etc.) is used in conjunctionwith the novel gauge wheel 105. In this situation, the scraper mayassist, or may be modified to further assist, in directing the loosenedsoil through the at least one opening 107 in the face of the gauge wheel105 as the gauge wheel turns.

It will be appreciated that numerous benefits are obtained by using thenovel gauge wheel design of the present invention. First and foremost,the one or more openings 107 formed in gauge wheel 105 facilitate egressof soil from the gap between the opening discs 10 and the gauge wheels105. As a result, productivity is increased by allowing more time to bespent planting and less time unplugging clogged row units of the rowplanter assemblies. This in turn permits the farmer to plant more acresin less time, with less fatigue, thereby increasing planting efficiency,particularly in wet soil conditions.

In addition to the foregoing, the one or more openings 107 in gaugewheel 105:

(i) provide an easy way to examine the row planter assembly's openingdiscs (particularly their hubs and bearings), scrapers, seed deploymenttubes, etc.;

(ii) provide a visual cue of gauge wheel rotation;

(iii) reduce the total amount of material used to produce the gaugewheel; and

(iv) provide increased tolerance for the gap between the opening discsand the gauge wheels, thereby minimizing the time spent adjusting gaugewheel position.

Significantly, the present invention may be retroactively installed onexisting row planter assemblies as well as used in new row planterassemblies.

And the present invention may be used on other farm equipment such asplanting drills, etc.

And the present invention may be used with virtually any type of seedplanting.

Novel Scraper

The prior art scraper 40 shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7 essentially comprisesa wheel which contacts the face of opening disc 10, i.e., a wheel-shapedscraper blade 43 is mounted to frame 15 by means of an attachment arm42. While the prior art scraper 40 works well with the novel gauge wheel105, with the loosened soil being free to exit the gap located betweenopening disc 10 and gauge wheel 105 via openings 107, the presentinvention generally performs better with the provision of a novelscraper which is configured to direct the loosened soil out throughopenings 107.

Thus, for example, and looking now at FIGS. 8-13, there is shown a novelscraper 140. Novel scraper 140 serves to remove accumulated soil fromthe face of opening disc 10 and/or the rim of gauge wheel 105 and directthat loosened soil out of openings 107 of the gauge wheel 105. To thisend, novel scraper 140 comprises (i) a flat leading edge 145 forengaging the side wall of the opening disc 10 and freeing the built-upsoil from the opening disc, and (ii) a curved body 150 for channelingthe scraped-off soil toward the openings 107 in gauge wheel 105, so asto facilitate egress of soil from the space between the opening disc andgauge wheel. Curved body 150 also includes a trailing edge 151 forremoving any accumulated soil from the rim of gauge wheel 105 andchannel that loosened soil out openings 107. In one form of theinvention, novel scraper 140 comprises an attachment arm 152 forsecuring the scraper to frame 15 of the row planter assembly.

Thus it will be seen that novel scraper 140 provides one edge 145 forremoving accumulated soil from opening disc 10, another edge 151 forremoving accumulated soil from gauge wheel 105, and a curved body 150located between edges 145 and 151 for guiding loosened soil out openings107.

Universal Scraper Arm

In the construction shown in FIGS. 8-13, scraper 140 is shown mounted tothe frame 15 of the row planter assembly 1, i.e., via an attachment arm152. This is analogous to the manner in which the prior art scraper 40is mounted to the frame 15 of the row planter assembly, i.e., viaattachment arm 42 (FIGS. 4, 6 and 7).

In an alternative form of the present invention, the scraper comprises auniversal scraper arm for supporting the scraper blade adjacent to theopening disc 10. This universal scraper arm is mounted to an adjacentaxle and permits the scraper blade to be properly positioned against theopening disc when using any of the commercially-available opening discs.This universal scraper arm may be mounted to the axle of the openingdisc 10, or the universal scraper arm may be mounted to the axle ofgauge wheel 105. In one preferred form of the invention, the universalscraper arm is mounted to the axle of opening disc 10. The universalscraper arm may be used to support substantially any scraper blade,e.g., it may be used to support the wheel-shaped scraper blade 43 shownin FIGS. 4, 6 and 7, or the scraper 140 shown in FIGS. 8-13, etc.

Thus, for example, and looking now at FIGS. 14-16, it will be seen thata scraper (e.g., scraper 140) may be mounted to the axle of the openingdisc 10 via universal scraper arm 160. In FIG. 15, universal scraper arm160 is shown screwed directly onto the threaded stud 161 of opening discaxle 162. In FIG. 16, universal scraper arm 160 is shown attached toaxle 162 by means of an intermediate adapter 163, with intermediateadapter 163 being screwed onto threaded stud 161 of opening disc axle162, and with universal scraper arm 160 mounting to intermediate adapter163, e.g., via a set screws 164. Intermediate adapter 163 allowsuniversal scraper arm 160 to be set at substantially any radialposition, and intermediate adapter 163 allows a single universal arm 160to be used with threaded studs 161 of various sizes.

Alternatively, and looking now at FIGS. 17-20, a scraper (e.g., scraper140) may be mounted to the axle 166 of gauge wheel 105 via universalscraper arm 165.

Wheel Liner

In an alternate form of the present invention, and looking now at FIGS.21 and 22, the gauge wheel 105 can be formed with a gauge wheel liner170. The gauge wheel liner 170 is formed so as to generally follow theshape of the gauge wheel rim at its base, forming an inner rim. Thegauge wheel liner 170 is formed so that its inner rim surface 173gradually slopes downward and outward from the adjacent opening disc,towards the exit openings 107 formed in the gauge wheel rim. Thissloping of the inner rim surface 173 of gauge wheel liner 170 serves tofacilitate egress of soil from the space between the opening disc andthe gauge wheel. In other words, the varying slope along the inner rimsurface 173 of gauge wheel liner 170 is formed so as to create a higherbevel at the inner rim surface furthest from the openings in the gaugewheel, and a lower bevel at the inner rim surface adjacent to theopenings in the gauge wheel, whereby to help channel loosened soil outopenings 107. Furthermore, the body of gauge wheel liner 170 also actsas a block to prevent the build-up of soil adjacent to openings 107.

In one preferred form of the invention, gauge wheel liner 170 is formedso that its inner rim surface 173 is set at an angle of approximately 70degrees or less to the plane of gauge wheel 105.

The gauge wheel liner 170 may be formed with tabs positioned so as toalign with existing bolts on the gauge wheel, whereby to facilitateaffixing the gauge wheel liner to the gauge wheel.

Alternatively, the gauge wheel liner may be provided with a face plate.The face plate is formed with a perimeter slope molding that matches therim face, thus covering the inner rim face and aligning with all holesformed in the rim face. The face plate includes openings which wouldalign with the soil egress openings of the gauge wheel.

Soil Deflector

In another preferred form of the present invention, and looking now atFIG. 23, when the gauge wheel liner or face plate is used, a soildeflector 175 may also be provided. The soil deflector 175 is positionedalong the inner rim of the gauge wheel, along the vertical trailing edgeof the opening in the gauge wheel. The soil deflector 175 serves as anadditional means to facilitate egress of soil from the space between theopening disc and the gauge wheel. Additionally, the soil deflector 175serves to prevent wet soil from sticking to the flat edges of theopenings in the gauge wheel. The soil deflector 175 is positioned at anangle of deflection toward the gauge wheel opening 107, and may beformed out of a non-stick material. The soil deflector 175 is preferablyattached to the gauge wheel using an adjacent existing bolt on the gaugewheel.

Soil Exit Chute

In yet another preferred construction, and looking now at FIG. 24, thereis shown a soil exit chute 180 which is positioned adjacent to gaugewheel openings 107, whereby to facilitate egress of soil from the gaplocated between opening disc 10 and gauge wheel 105. More particularly,FIG. 24 shows how wet soil removed from the opening disc 10 and/or gaugewheel 105 by a scraper (e.g., scraper 40 or scraper 140) tends to rollalong the perimeter of the gauge wheel rim and, as additional soil isscraped from the opening disk and/or gauge wheel, the newly scraped soilalso falls to the perimeter of the gauge wheel rim, sticking to thepreviously scraped soil. In other words, these soil scrapings have atendency to stick to each other as well as to the rim of the gauge wheel(and opening disc), effectively forming soil “balls”. Accordingly, thesoil exit chute 180 takes advantage of this particle attraction, byproviding a soil egress for guiding the soil balls out openings 107 inthe gauge wheels. In one preferred form of the invention, soil exitchute 180 comprises a floor 185 and a side wall 187, where floor 185 andside wall 187 are configured to direct the soil balls outboard as theyemerge from openings 107 in the gauge wheels.

The soil exit chute 180 may be manufactured out of a non-stick plastic,or a coated metal, or a combination of the two.

Preferred Construction For Universal Scraper

The present invention also provides a novel universal scraper which maybe used with ground opening equipment, including ground openingequipment using furrow opener discs used on seed planters, fertilizerattachment ground opening discs, and so-called “no till” ground openingdiscs.

As noted above, scrapers have long been used to remove soil that adheresto the surface of an opening disc. This is especially important in wetor sticky soil conditions. Prior art scrapers have generally beenattached to the frame that the opening disc is mounted to, e.g., theframe of a row planter assembly. Some prior art scrapers are providedwith a circular scraper contact surface (see, for example, scraper 40 ofFIGS. 4, 6 and 7, which comprise a wheel-shaped scraper blade 43), whileother prior art scrapers are provided with a flat edge scraper contactsurface.

Scrapers used in the prior art for row planter assemblies comprisingdouble disc furrow openers have been mounted to the frame of the rowplanter assembly and disposed so as to scrape in an area at the trailingedge of the opening discs. See, for example, the scraper 40 shown inFIGS. 4, 6 and 7, where scraper 40 comprises an attachment arm 42 formounting scraper blade 43 to frame 15. This scraper contact area scrapessoil and refuse from the opening disc, propelling the soil and refusegenerally upward, where it then falls downward due to gravity, towardthe trailing portion of the rotating gauge wheel. Scraped materialfalling to the trailing portions of the gauge wheels tends to tumblearound the rim perimeter of the gauge wheels, often resulting in arapidly enlarging mass of material. However, there is only a narrow rearopening between the gauge wheels and the opening discs on double discopener-type planters. The mass of revolving soil and refuse oftenbecomes too large to exit the gap between the opening discs and thegauge wheels, causing the opening discs and the gauge wheels to clog up.At this point the gauge wheels typically start to skid and tear thefurrow. Seed is then left atop the ground, or in a poorly formed furrow,with poor seed-to-soil contact.

Another problem with frame-mounted scrapers (e.g., scrapers such asscraper 40 shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7) is that the attachment arm (e.g.,the attachment arm 42 of scraper 40) can be a barrier or obstructionwhich holds back soil and refuse on the trailing edge of the attachmentarm. See, for example, FIG. 25, where the attachment arm 42 supportingscraper blade 43 acts as a barrier to soil and refuse, causing anaggregation 188 of soil and debris on the attachment arm. This soil anddebris can be forced under the attachment arm, thereby pushing thescraper blade away from the disc surface (FIG. 26). When this occurs,the scraper blade and entrapped soil and refuse can begin to have abraking effect on the opening disc, which will prevent the desired seedtrench from being formed. Also, some soil and material stopped by thetrailing edge of frame-mounted attachment arms will fall into the areabetween the opening discs, where disc rotation causes the soil andrefuse to move to the outer circumference of the opening discs. Oncethis soil and refuse migrates to the outer disc perimeter, it oftenforms a wedge between the two opposing opening disc blades (where theyare set to substantially contact each other, as seen in FIG. 7). Whenthe two opposing opening disc blades become wedged, the opening discswill no longer rotate and the wedged opening discs can no longer createa proper furrow for the seed.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a noveluniversal scraper which addresses the deficiencies of prior artscrapers.

More particularly, and looking now at FIGS. 27-50, there is provided anovel universal scraper 200. Universal scraper 200 comprises four majorcomponents, an axle hub adapter 205 (FIGS. 27-42, 45 and 47), a hubadapter clamp 210 (FIGS. 27, 28 and 43-47), a scraper arm 215 (FIGS. 27,28 and 48) and a scraper blade 220 (FIGS. 27, 28, 49 and 50). Inessence, and as will hereinafter be discussed, axle hub adapter 205 isintended to be secured to the axle of an opening disc (or,alternatively, the axle of a gauge wheel), hub adapter clamp 210 isintended to be secured to axle hub adapter 205, scraper arm 215 isintended to be secured to hub adapter clamp 210, and scraper blade 220is intended to be secured to scraper arm 215.

Axle hub adapter 205 has a base diameter 225 (FIG. 29) sized to tightenagainst the bearing race 230 of a bearing 232 so as to hold the bearing232 in proper position against opening disc 10. No additional parts arenecessary inasmuch as axle hub adapter 205 accepts a nut 235 of eitherSAE or metric size.

Axle hub adapter 205 may be of a length to allow for adjustment of hubadapter clamp 210 along axle hub adapter 205 so as to move scraper blade220 inward or outward in relation to the opening disc surface (FIG. 28).Where the opening disc support arm 240 (FIG. 29) comprises an axlehaving a threaded stud 250, the threaded stud extends through theopening disc 10, through bearing 232, through hub 255 and through dustseal 260. Then, with nut 235 inserted into the top of axle hub adapter205, the axle hub adapter 205/nut 235 are threaded onto the threadedstud 250, whereby to secure the assembly to the opening disc support arm240. To this end, axle hub adapter 205 comprises an axle bore 261 forreceiving threaded stud 250 and a multi-surfaced opening 262 forreceiving nut 235. Flats 263 are provided on the exterior of axle hubadapter 205 for turning the axle hub adapter 205 and hence nut 235.

Alternatively, and looking now at FIGS. 39-42, where opening discsupport arm 240 comprises a threaded hole 265, nut 235 is replaced by anaxle bolt 235A comprising a threaded stud 235B and a head 235C. Axlebolt 235A is inserted from the distal end of the axle hub adapter 205and down through the bore at the bottom of the axle hub adapter, throughdust seal 260, through hub 255, through bearing 232, through openingdisc 10 and into threaded hole 265 in opening disc support arm 240.

Preferably, shims 270 are disposed between opening disc 10 and openingdisc support arm 240, so that axle hub adapter 205 tightens the innerrace of bearing 232 to the frame/shims.

Opening discs 10 turning counterclockwise will tighten by turning axlehub adapter 205 counterclockwise, while opening discs 10 turningclockwise will tighten by turning the axle hub adapter 205 clockwise,thus the rotation of the opening disc will always have a self-tighteningeffect on the axle hub adapter 205, opening disc 10 and bearing 232.

The hub adapter clamp 210 (FIGS. 27, 28 and 43-47) is machined so as toachieve a close fit about the circumference of axle hub adapter 205,whereby to mount hub adapter clamp 210 to axle hub adapter 205 and henceto the axle of the opening disc (or, alternatively, the axle of a guidewheel). Significantly, hub adapter clamp 210 can be positioned atsubstantially any radial position on axle hub adapter 205, so that theuniversal scraper 200 can be disposed at substantially any radialposition relative to opening disc 10.

Hub adapter clamp 210 fastens to axle hub adapter using a clampingaction. To this end, the proximal portion 271 of hub adapter clamp 210is split so as to create a pair of segments 272, 273 separated by anarrow gap 275. A bolt 280 spans the narrow gap 275 and allows segments272 to be drawn together, whereby to clamp hub adapter clamp 210 to axlehub adapter 205. In other words, bolt 280 may be used to tightensegments 272, 273 together in order to secure hub adapter clamp 210 inthe desired position on axle hub adapter 205, i.e., at any point aroundthe 360 degree circumference of the axle hub adapter. It will beappreciated that hub adapter clamp 210 may be formed in a variety ofconfigurations. By way of example, one such configuration is shown inFIGS. 43 and 44; another such configuration is shown in FIGS. 45-47.Alternatively, other arrangements may be used to mount scraper arm 215to axle hub adapter 205, however, hub adapter clamp 210 is preferredsince it provides infinitely adjustable position settings. Hub adapterclamp 210 includes threaded holes 281.

Scraper arm 215 (FIGS. 27, 28 and 48) is secured to hub adapter clamp210, e.g., via threaded holes 281 in hub adapter clamp 210 and threadedholes 282 in scraper arm 215. In one form of the invention, scraper arm215 has a fixed length and is provided in a variety of sizes, so as toallow for use with larger or smaller diameter discs, etc. In anotherform of the invention, scraper arm 215 has an adjustable length so thata single scraper arm construction can be used with larger or smallerdiameter discs.

Scraper blade 220 (FIGS. 27, 28, 49 and 50) is secured to scraper arm215 with bolts 285 which pass through holes 290 in scraper blade 220 andare received in holes 295 in scraper arm 215. In one preferred form ofthe invention, holes 290 in scraper blade 220 may comprise elongatedslots so as to allow the scraper blade to be moved inward, toward thehub, as the opening disc wears to smaller diameters. The scraper blade220 may be made of spring steel with some flexibility so as to allow thescraper blade to flex against the surface of the rotating disc.

It will be appreciated that variations may be made to the foregoingconstructions, such as providing a spring scraper arm with tensioningsimilar to the spring tensioning of windshield wiper arms, or providinga solid arm, or a spring steel arm, or a thin high carbon steel arm, aswell as providing scraper blades with spring tensioning and/or differenttypes of fasteners.

The axle hub adapter 205 used in the present invention allows theuniversal scraper to be installed on the axle of major brand planters,regardless of whether the planter uses an axle formed by a frame-mountedthreaded stud (FIG. 29) or an axle formed by an axle bolt received bythe frame (FIG. 39). This is a significant advantage in the art.

Another advantage over prior art constructions is the elimination of theneed for left side scraper arms and right side scraper arms, inasmuch asthe same universal scraper can be used for both left side applicationsand right side applications.

And another advantage over prior art constructions is the elimination ofthe need for left side scraper blades and right side scraper blades,inasmuch as identical scraper blades can be used with the universalscraper for both left side applications and right side applications.

In addition, the present invention has all interchangeable parts,regardless of whether scraping against a counterclockwise rotation or aclockwise rotation, and regardless of scraping against the left side orright side of an opening disc, etc.

And axle hub adapters using the principles of the present invention canbe designed to fit axles with bearings such as tapered roller wheelbearings without departing from the spirit of this invention.

Currently, there also exist frame-mounted scrapers which scrape the backface of the opening disc surface, however, such back face frame-mountedscrapers suffer from many of the same disadvantages as the front facescrapers discussed above. Significantly, the present invention providesa scraper arm that can also serve as an attachment point for a secondscraper arm that crosses over to the back side of the opening disc,where a second scraper scrapes the outer perimeter of the inboard (orback face) of the opening disc.

More particularly, and looking now at FIGS. 51-55, the distal end ofscraper arm 215 can serve the dual purpose of (i) supporting frontsurface scraper blade 220, and (ii) supporting a rear surface scraperblade 300. In one preferred form of the invention, this is accomplishedby attaching a bracket 305 to the free end of scraper arm 215. By way ofexample but not limitation, this may be done by passing screws 285through holes 306 in bracket 305 and then through holes 290 in scraperblade 220 and then into holes 295 in scraper arm 215. Bracket 305comprises a bore 310 which allows a second scraper arm 315 to beinserted into bore 310. Second scraper arm 315 is preferably in the formof a J or a U, with a first segment 320, a second segment 325 and athird segment 330. First segment 320 is intended to be inserted intobore 310 of bracket 305, second segment 325 is intended to span thethickness of opening disc 10, and third segment 330 is intended tosupport rear surface scraper blade 300. The tension of the rear surfacescraper blade 300 can be adjusted by rotating first segment 320 withinbore 310 so as to move third segment 330 closer to the opening discsurface. Second scraper arm 315 may be locked into the desired positionby a set screw 335 which passes through a hole 336 or other lockingmechanism. The rear surface scraper blade 300 may be placed at a radialsurface position fore or aft of the front scraper position. The radialdistance between the front and rear scraper blade contact points isdependent upon the arm length of the disc cross-over section of thescraper, i.e., second portion 325, as well as the sizings of othercomponents, e.g., rear surface scraper blade 300.

A two-edged scraper blade 300 would allow the scraper blade to be usedto scrape the back surface of either the left or right opening disc.

One advantage gained from using the new scraper system on equipmentcomprising double disc furrow openers is that of being able to positionthe left side disc to be scraped at a different radial location than thescraper of the right side disc. On one side of the row unit, a scraperblade could be easily positioned so as to scrape further forward of theopening disc center line, while the opposite opening disc could be setfarther back on the trailing edge behind the opening disc center line.This configuration would prevent the sum of all scrapings from fallingto the same trailing edge of both left and right opposing gauge wheelrim perimeters. As a result, this reduces the total quantity of scrapedmaterials having to clear the exit point at any given time, therebyreducing the possibility of clogging.

Another advantage of the new scraper system is that it is able torelease more of the scraped material forward of the opening disc hub,thereby allowing the material to use momentum to keep soil particlesdispersed rather than falling rearward where they tend to tumbletogether, forming ever larger masses.

In addition, on single disc opener seed planters, fertilizer furrowplacement arrangements and “no till” ground opening discs, it is oftendifficult to find a suitable place on the frame for mounting scrapers,thus mounting to the disc hub presents a significantly better option.

The universal scraper of the present invention gains considerableadditional advantage when used with a gauge wheel with openings in theside wall of the wheel which allow soil to pass through, inasmuch as thescraper can be placed in a position to best use scraped materialmomentum to be directed by the scraper blade out through the revolvingopenings, thereby ensuring the best combination for double disc openerplanters as well as single disc planters and drills, fertilizer discopener coulters and “no till” ground opening discs.

Hub-Mounted Scraper Assembly With Resiliently-Mounted Scraper Blade

Looking now at FIGS. 56 and 57, ground opening disc scraperstraditionally comprise a frame-mounted scraper arm 400 having a groundopening disc scraper blade (or edge) 405 which is either mounted to thedistal end of frame-mounted scraper arm 400 (FIG. 56) or formed integralwith the distal end of frame-mounted scraper arm 400 (FIG. 57). Groundopening disc scrapers are typically attached to the frame (e.g., planterframe 15) of the structure (e.g., the frame of a farm implement)carrying the ground opening disc in a position and manner determined bythe manufacturer. See FIGS. 56 and 57 which show a frame-mounted scraperarm 400 attached to a planter frame 15.

Where frame-mounted scraper arm 400 is mounted to a planter frame 15(e.g., as shown in FIGS. 56 and 57), a relatively long frame-mountedscraper arm 400 must be provided in order for the frame-mounted scraperarm 400 to span the distance between the planter frame 15 and thesurface of the ground opening disc which is to be scraped by scraperblade (or edge) 405. Frame-mounted scraper arm 400 must be configuredsuch that tension holds scraper blade (or edge) 405 in contact with thesurface of the ground opening disc (e.g., opening disc 10) which is tobe scraped. The force required to hold scraper blade (or edge) 405 incontact with the ground opening disc is typically provided by springtensioning (see FIG. 56) or by the use of a resilient tensioning arm(see FIG. 57). It should be appreciated that frame-mounted scraper arm400 generally comprises a relatively long “lever arm”, with the lengthof the lever arm approximately equaling the distance between (i) thepoint of attachment 410 of frame-mounted scraper arm 400 to planterframe 15, and (ii) the point 415 where scraper blade (or edge) 405contacts opening disc 10. As the length of the lever arm increases(i.e., as the distance between point 410 and point 415 increases), alarger amount of tensioning force is required to ensure that scraperblade (or edge) 405 contacts the surface of opening disc 10 withsufficient force (i.e., pressure) to allow the scraper blade (or edge)405 to remove dirt, mud and debris from the surface of the opening disc.Significantly, the longer that the frame-mounted scraper arm 400 is, thegreater the tendency of the scraper blade (or edge) 405 to be forcedaway from the surface of opening disc 10 due to the tendency of dirt,mud and debris to “work” their way beneath scraper blade (or edge) 405,especially in damper, stickier soil conditions. Over time, thisincreasing build-up of dirt, mud and debris under scraper blade (oredge) 405 can force the scraper blade away from the surface of openingdisc 10, thereby undermining the ability of the scraper blade (or edge)405 to remove dirt, mud and debris from the opening disc. When scraperblade (or edge) 405 is pushed away from the surface of opening disc 10,the amount of soil and debris under the scraper blade (i.e., between thescraper blade and the opening disc surface) builds up quickly, and mayeven begin to accumulate under the distal end of frame-mounted scraperarm 400 (as well as under scraper blade (or edge) 405). Such build-up ofsoil and debris can prevent proper rotation of opening disc 10, or mayeven prevent rotation of the opening disc altogether. To prevent thisfrom occurring, a new approach is needed to ensure that the scraperblade is held against opening disc 10 in a manner which prevents soiland debris from building up beneath the scraper blade, and which allowsthe scraper blade to clear soil and debris from the opening disc whilemaintaining proper tension at the end of a long “lever arm”, e.g., thelever arm established between the point 410 where scraper arm 400 ismounted to frame 15 and the point 415 where scraper blade (or edge) 405contacts opening disc 10.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an openingdisc scraper that is a significant improvement over prior artframe-mounted scrapers, including prior art scrapers utilizing longlever arm configurations and including prior art scrapers comprisingcomponents which can catch or entrap soil, mud and debris after thesoil, mud and debris have been scraped from the opening disc.

In one form of the invention, the present invention addresses theaforementioned problems associated with frame-mounted scraper armsthrough the provision and use of a novel scraper assembly comprising ahub-mounted scraper arm having a scraper blade resiliently mounted tothe distal end of the scraper arm.

More particularly, in one preferred form of the invention, and lookingnow at FIGS. 58-62, there is provided a novel scraper assembly 500.Scraper assembly 500 generally comprises a scraper arm 505 having aproximal end 510 configured for mounting to the hub 511 of an openingdisc 10 and a distal end 515 having a scraper blade 520 resiliently(i.e., yieldably) mounted thereto, as will hereinafter be discussed ingreater detail. In one preferred form of the invention, scraper arm 505has a stepped profile, with a transition zone 521 disposed betweenproximal end 510 and distal end 515. If desired, scraper arm 505 may berigid or flexible. In one preferred form of the invention, scraper arm505 is substantially rigid, particularly with respect to twisting alongits longitudinal axis (i.e., scraper arm 505 preferably does not twistalong its longitudinal axis).

Scraper blade 520 generally comprises a substantially flat proximalportion 525 and a distal portion 530 which is bent away from the planeof proximal portion 525 (see FIG. 61). If desired, proximal portion 525may comprise one or more through-holes 535 for facilitating mounting ofscraper blade 520 to scraper arm 505, as will hereinafter be discussed.Distal portion 530 of scraper blade 520 comprises an edge 540 forscraping soil, mud and debris from the surface of an opening disc 10, aswill hereinafter be discussed in greater detail. If desired, scraperblade 520 may be rigid or flexible. In one preferred form of theinvention, scraper blade 520 is relatively stiff and resists bending, sothat resilient tensioning clip 545 provides substantially all of theflexion in the yieldable mount of scraper blade 520 to scraper arm 505(i.e., all of the flexion of edge 540 relative to scraper arm 505). Andin one preferred form of the invention, scraper blade 520 issufficiently stiff that it resists twisting in the dimension parallel tothe longitudinal axis of scraper arm 505 (i.e., scraper blade 520resists twisting along the radius of opening disc 10), so that resilienttensioning clip 545 provides substantially all of the twisting (relativeto the longitudinal axis of scraper arm 505—“radial pivoting”) in theyieldable mount of scraper blade 520 to scraper arm 505.

In one preferred form of the present invention, scraper blade 520 ismounted to distal end 515 of scraper arm 505 by means of a resilienttensioning clip 545. More particularly, resilient tensioning clip 545(FIG. 62) generally comprises an elongated flexible body 550 which isbent so as to define an elongated opening 555. Elongated body 550terminates in a pair of ends 560, 565 which are spaced apart from oneanother and sized to be received in a pair of counterpart holes 570, 575(FIG. 59) formed in the distal end 515 of scraper arm 505, as willhereinafter be discussed. More particularly, to mount scraper blade 520to scraper arm 505, proximal portion 525 of scraper blade 520 isinserted into elongated opening 555 of resilient tensioning clip 545until proximal portion 530 of scraper blade 520 engages the ends 560,565 of resilient tensioning clip 545. While maintaining proximal portion525 of scraper blade 520 within elongated opening 555 of resilienttensioning clip 545, ends 560, 565 of resilient tensioning clip 545 areinserted into counterpart holes 570, 575 formed in scraper arm 505, suchthat proximal portion 525 of scraper blade 520 is yieldably mounted toscraper arm 505. When scraper blade 520 is yieldably mounted to scraperarm 505 in this manner. (i.e., by means of resilient tensioning clip545), sufficient force is exerted on distal portion 530 of scraper blade520 to hold edge 540 of scraper blade 520 in contact with the desiredscraping surface (e.g., the surface of opening disc 10) under adequatetension.

As noted above, scraper arm 505 may be rigid or flexible, scraper blade520 may be rigid or flexible, and tensioning clip 545 is resilient. Whenboth scraper arm 505 and scraper blade 520 are rigid, the flexing ofscraper blade 520 away from the face of opening disc 10 is accommodatedentirely by resilient tensioning clip 545. Where scraper arm 505 and/orscraper blade 520 is/are flexible, the flexing of scraper blade 520 awayfrom the face of opening disc 10 is accommodated by resilient tensioningclip 545 and by one or both of scraper arm 505 and scraper blade 520. Ina preferred form of the invention, scraper arm 505 is rigid, scraperblade 520 is modestly flexible, and the majority of the flexing ofscraper blade 520 away from the face of opening disc 10 is accommodatedby resilient tensioning clip 545.

Significantly, mounting scraper blade 520 to scraper arm 505 by means ofresilient tensioning clip 545 allows scraper blade 520 to “flex” or“give” (i.e., by resilient deformation of tensioning clip 545) when edge540 of scraper blade 520 encounters an obstruction (e.g., debris),thereby reducing the likelihood of scraper blade breakage and prolonginguseful life of the scraper blade and the scraper arm. It should also beappreciated that resilient tensioning clip 545 facilitates simplemounting and removal of scraper blade 520 to/from scraper arm 505,without the need for additional hardware or specialized tools.

See also FIGS. 62A and 62B, which shows that proximal portion 525 ofscraper blade 520 can be mounted to the inside surface of scraper arm505, rather than to the outside surface of scraper blade 505 (as shownin FIG. 59).

It should be appreciated that, if desired, a bolt 578 may be providedfor restricting proximal movement of scraper blade 520 relative toscraper arm 505. More particularly, bolt 578 acts as a stop which isengaged by proximal portion 525 of scraper blade 520, whereby to limitproximal movement of scraper blade 520 relative to scraper arm 505. Bolt578 may include a washer 579. Bolt 578 is received in a threaded holeformed in the distal end 515 of scraper arm 505. The head of bolt 578(and washer 579, where one is provided) is spaced from the top surfaceof the proximal portion 525 of scraper blade 520, whereby to allowscraper blade 520 to pivot (under the resiliency of tensioning clip 545)relative to distal end 515 of scraper arm 505 (i.e., to pivot about thelongitudinal axis of scraper arm 520). See FIGS. 59 and 66A. In onepreferred form of the invention, and looking now at FIGS. 59A and 59B, ashim 579A may be disposed between scraper arm 505 and washer 579, and anotch 579B may be provided in proximal portion 525 of scraper blade 520.

1. Use of the Resilient Tensioning Clip in Conjuction with a Hub-MountedScraper Arm

It should be appreciated that mounting scraper assembly 500 so thatscraper arm 505 extends out from the axle of a ground opening disc, andresiliently mounting scraper blade 520 to scraper arm 505 usingresilient tensioning clip 545, provides a number of advantages over theprior art. By way of example but not limitation, one advantage of such ahub-mounted configuration is that scraper arm 505 (and hence scraperblade 520) can be mounted at any scraping position relative to openingdisc 10 that the operator chooses (e.g., scraper arm 505 may be mountedat a “three o'clock” position, a “nine o'clock” position or any otherposition relative to the opening disc).

Another advantage of the present invention is the ease of attachingscraper assembly 500 to the hub 511 of opening disc 10 (see FIGS. 59,60, 61 and 62A) so that scraper assembly 500 will maintain a bladecontact pressure sufficient to scrape the opening disc with edge 540 ofscraper blade 520 more efficiently, while imposing less pressure on edge540, which is due to the short “lever arm” supporting edge 540 ofscraper blade 520. More particularly, by mounting scraper arm 505 to thehub of an opening disc, and by forming scraper arm 505 as a platestructure so as to behave substantially rigid along its length, the“lever arm” supporting edge 540 is effectively the length of scraperblade 520, i.e., the length 579C shown in FIG. 66A. The short “leverarm” of the present invention (i.e., the length 579C shown in FIG. 66A)is much shorter than the long lever arm which is necessary with aframe-mounted scraper arm (i.e., the length extending between point 410and point 415 in FIGS. 56 and 57).

In accordance with the present invention, and still looking at FIGS.58-62, the force required to maintain contact of scraper blade 520against opening disc 10 is provided by the use of the aformentionedresilient tensioning clip 545, as discussed above and as willhereinafter be discussed below.

Still another advantage of the present invention is that scraperassembly 500 may be used with both clockwise-rotating ground openingdiscs as well as counterclockwise-rotating ground opening discs.

And an advantage of mounting scraper blade 520 to scraper arm 505 usingresilient tensioning clip 545 is that scraper blade 520 does not need tobe fastened to scraper arm 505 by bolts or other similar fasteners.

Another advantage of mounting scraper blade 520 to scraper arm 505 usingresilient tensioning clip 545 is that the resilient tensioning clipallows scraper arm 505 to easily accommodate a large number of differentblades and blade holders (see below) having various configurations. See,for example, FIGS. 58, 59, 63 and 68, which show alternativeconfigurations for scraper blade 520. See also, for example, FIGS. 65and 66, which show resilient tensioning clip 545 securing a blade holder579D to scraper arm 505, where blade holder 579D supports a scraperblade 579E in contact with opening disc 10. Note that where a bladeholder is used to secure a scraper blade to scraper arm 505, variousconfigurations of blade holder and scraper blade can be used, e.g., aplanar blade holder and a stepped or angled scraper blade (e.g., ascraper blade such as scraper blade 520), a stepped or angled bladeholder and a planar scraper blade (e.g., a scraper blade such as scraperblade 579E), etc.

In another form of the present invention, and looking now at FIGS. 63and 64, if desired, scraper blade 520 may comprise an extension 580which extends to the opposite side of opening disc 10 so as to allowsimultaneous scraping of both the front and back sides of the groundopening disc, i.e., via the aforementioned scraper blade 520 (whichscrapes the front surface of opening disc 10) and by a supplementalscraper blade 582 (which scrapes the rear surface of opening disc 10).

It should also be appreciated that the scraper blades of the presentinvention provide a very clean “ramp material ejection angle”, whichfacilitates the release of material (e.g., dirt, mud and debris) scrapedfrom the ground opening disc by scraper blade 520. By way of example butnot limitation, and looking now at FIGS. 59 and 66A, edge 540 of scraperblade 520 may act as a quick-release short bevel ramp that facilitatesunimpeded release of scraped material from both the ground opening discand from scraper blade 520.

2. The Resilient Tensioning Clip Allows for Greater Blade Flex and FewerBroken Blades and Better Opening Disc Function

It should also be appreciated that mounting scraper blade 520 to scraperarm 505 using resilient tensioning clip 545 allows the scraper blade tofollow the surface of opening disc 10 when scraper blade 520 flexesrelative to scraper arm 505 (e.g., when it encounters large unyieldingdebris such as rocks), and also allows scraper blade 520 to accommodate“disc warp” or other disc irregularities and/or surface abnormalities.This is accomplished by configuring resilient tensioning clip 545 suchthat when scraper blade 520 encounters a certain level of resistance,resilient tensioning clip 545 flexes in order to allow edge 540 ofscraper blade 520 to temporarily disengage from the face of opening disc10. When the resistance is removed (e.g., when the debris passes underscraper blade 520), resilient tensioning clip 545 returns scraper blade520 to its original position so as to re-engage edge 540 of scraperblade 520 with the surface of opening disc 10. See FIG. 66A.

In addition, the configuration of resilient tensioning clip 545, whichhas a body 550 extending inwardly from each end of the scraper blade,provides torsional support to the scraper blade, i.e., in the mannershown in FIGS. 66B and 66C. More particularly, the configuration ofresilient tensioning clip 545 allows scraper blade 520 to “radiallypivot” relative to the longitudinal axis of scraper arm 505 (i.e., to“radially pivot” along the radius of opening disc 10) when scraper blade520 encounters large unyielding debris such as rocks.

If desired, scraper blade 520 may or may not be formed out of aresilient material. Where scraper blade 520 is formed of a resilientmaterial, scraper assembly 500 is preferably configured so thatresilient tensioning clip 545 flexes before scraper blade 520 flexes, sothat when debris causes edge 540 of scraper blade 520 to temporarilydisengage from the face of opening disc 10, resilient tensioning clip545 will provide the largest aspect of component flexing. In onepreferred form of the invention, scraper blade 520 is formed out of arelatively stiff material so that scraper blade 520 exhibits minimalflexing, so that resilient tensioning clip 545 provides substantiallyall of the flexion in the yieldable mount of scraper blade 520 toscraper arm 505 (i.e., flexion of edge 540 relative to scraper arm 505).

Significantly, many prior art scraper assemblies comprise protrusions orblade-tensioning obstacles which tend to catch and entrap the dirt, mudand/or debris scraped from the opening disc. Such obstructions can leadto the accumulation of dirt, mud and/or debris on the opening disc, orbetween the opening disc and the scraper arm and/or scraper blade, whichcan slow or prevent the opening disc from rotating as intended.

3. The Resilient Tensioning Clip Eliminates the Need for OtherConnecting Apparatus that can Impair Proper Operation of the OpeningDisc

It is also desirable to keep an unobstructed pathway beneath edge 540 ofscraper blade 520, inasmuch as any fine material working its way underthe scraper blade should be able to pass under the scraper blade andmove out from under the scraper blade with the rotation of opening disc10. Many prior art scraper assemblies have obstructions located underthe scraper blade which can entrap material and allow such material tobuild up to troublesome proportions, thereby potentially impairingproper rotation of the opening disc.

4. Use of the Resilient Tensioning Clip in Conjunction with aHub-Mounted Scraper Arm Generates Sufficient Force for EffectiveScraping of the Ground Opening Disc

As discussed above, in one preferred form of the present invention, andlooking now at FIG. 59, scraper assembly 500 is preferably mounted ontoa non-rotating disc hub 511 of an opening disc axle, such that scraperassembly 500 remains rotationally stationary relative to opening disc 10when the ground opening disc is rotated. Thus, scraper arm 505 radiallytraverses across the surface of opening disc 10, from non-rotating dischub 511 radially outward toward the outer circumference of the openingdisc. This configuration, in conjunction with resilient tensioning clip545, provides a substantially shorter lever arm to support edge 540 ofscraper blade 520, thereby reducing the amount of force needed to ensuresufficient contact between edge 540 of scraper blade 520 and the openingdisc. Proximal portion 525 of scraper blade 520 is mounted to distal end515 of scraper arm 505 (e.g., using the aforementioned resilienttensioning clip 545 in the manner discussed above), and edge 540 ofscraper blade 520 is disposed against opening disc 10, such that whenthe opening disc is rotated, edge 540 of scraper blade 520 directsmaterial (e.g., dirt, mud and debris) disposed on opening disc 10 alongthe outboard side of scraper blade 520 (e.g., in FIG. 59, the groundopening disc rotates counterclockwise, and dirt, mud and debris isdirected off of the ground opening disc and along the outboard side ofscraper blade 520).

The present invention also provides a scraper blade 520 which isconfigured to better withstand a lifting force (i.e., a force directedoutboard from the face of the ground opening disc such that edge 540 ofscraper blade 520 is pushed away from the surface of opening disc 10).More particularly, with the present invention, the unsupported length ofscraper blade 520 (i.e., the distance between edge 540 and proximalportion 525 of scraper blade 520 where it joins scraper arm 505) isrelatively short, and hence resists a lifting force trying to push edge540 away from the surface of opening disc 10. See the relatively shortlever arm length 579C in FIG. 66A. This is in contrast to the longerlever arms of traditional frame-mounted arms and scraper blades (FIGS.56 and 57), which are susceptible to such lifting forces due to theirlonger unsupported lengths. Thus, with the shorter lever arm lengths ofthe present invention, much less force is required to hold edge 540firmly in contact with the surface of the opening disc than is requiredwith traditional, longer frame-mounted scraper arm lengths and/orscraper blades, e.g., the frame-mounted scraper arms shown in FIGS. 56and 57.

In general, the scraper edge-to-ground opening disc contact efficiencyis greatly improved by use of a short “lever arm” (i.e., lever arm 579Cshown in FIG. 66A) and the use of resilient tensioning clip 545 in orderto hold edge 540 of scraper blade 520 in contact with the ground openingdisc surface. Significantly, the use of a resilient tensioning clip 545to yieldably mount scraper blade 520 to scraper arm 505 allows scraperblade 520 to “give” to some extent when the blade encounters asubstantial obstacle (e.g., a rock or an abnormality) disposed on theface of the ground opening disc. Resilient tensioning clip 545 “gives”by allowing resilient flexing, whereby to allow edge 540 of scrapingblade 520 to briefly move away from the ground opening disc before againbeing forced against the opening disc as resilient tensioning clip 545returns to its non-flexation state. In essence, with the presentinvention, resilient tensioning clip 545 yieldably mounts the scraperblade to the scraper arm, yieldably biasing the scraper blade againstthe opening disc. A further advantage of using resilient tensioning clip545 is that resilient tensioning clip 545 can be used to mount scraperblade 520 to scraper arm 505 with little or no additional hardware.

5. Use of Springs to Improve Scraper Performance

In another preferred form of the present invention, one or more torsionsprings (e.g., torsion springs similar to those used in mousetraps) maybe mounted to one or both sides (i.e., to the inboard side and/or theoutboard side) of scraper blade 520 so as to provide sufficient force toscraper blade 520 to keep edge 540 of scraper blade 520 in contact withopening disc 10 while still allowing the scraper blade to yield (i.e.,“give”) when the scraper blade encounters a rigid object or anobstruction disposed on the face of the opening disc.

In still another preferred form of the present invention, and lookingnow at FIG. 67, one or more tension springs 595 may be mounted to one orboth sides (i.e., to the inboard side and/or the outboard side) ofscraper blade 520. And, if desired, the length of scraper blade 520 maybe shortened by using a “hinged” scraper blade 520 comprising a hinge600 disposed intermediate proximal portion 525 and distal portion 530 ofscraper blade 520, such that distal portion 530 can pivot on hinge 600relative to proximal portion 525. With this form of the invention, oneor more tension springs 595 may be provided as “cross under” springtensioner(s) (or as a series of spring tensioners). And it should alsobe appreciated that the provision of hinge 600 can allow a variety ofdifferent hinge pin configurations including, but not limited to, ahinge pin extending outward in length (not shown) so as to provide alocation to add an opening disc “cross over” attachment (e.g., such asthe cross-over blade configuration shown in FIGS. 63 and 64) in order tocontact the opposite surface of opening disc 10, whereby the attachmentwill provide scraping of the opposing planar surface of the openingdisc. With such a configuration, the two-opposing-surface scrapersassist each other in improved blade contact, and improved (i.e.,increased) surface contact tension, due to the complementary opposingtensions of the two-opposing-surface scrapers. Inboard-directed torqueprovided by resilient tensioning clip 545 can further improve contact ofscraper blade 520 with opening disc 10.

It should be appreciated that, if desired, resilient tensioning clip 545can comprise configurations other than those shown, including differentcross-sections (e.g., it could be made from flattened spring steel stockinstead of round spring steel stock).

6. The Resilient Tensioning Clip may be Used with Opening Discs HavingIndividual Axles or with Opening Discs Mounted to a Common Gang forMultiple Discs

The blade tensioner used in the preferred form of the present invention(i.e., resilient tensioning clip 545) may be most efficient when it isused with a radially-extending, multi-positional locking scraper arm 505which is adjustable, circumferentially, about the axle axis in order todirect soil being scraped from opening disc 10 in the most advantageousdirection.

On ground opening discs arranged on a common axle (i.e., a common gang)for attaching multiple scraper assemblies 500, resilient tensioning clip545 may be used to attach scraper blade 520 to the distal ends 515 ofthe individual scraper arms 505. This configuration results in a discblade-following, counter-rotational end piece similar to that describedabove, which would also do a more efficient job of accommodating surfaceinconsistencies (such as disc warp) formed on the opening disc 10 ormitigating the effect of bent blades. One such mounting could beaccomplished by drilling two holes at the distal end of the scraper arm400 shown in FIG. 56 that would be the same in configuration as theholes 570, 575 formed in the axle-mounted scraper arms 505 (FIGS. 58-60)so that the resilient tensioning clip 545 can be used to hold the bladeto the scraper arm. See FIG. 68.

Other possibilities such as a scraper blade bolted to the scraper armsome resilience and position memory, and a resilient memory-positionscraper arm, and a spring-tensioned scraper arm, are also within thescope of the present invention. See FIGS. 58 and 69 for examples of ascraper blade bolted to a scraper arm.

7. Advantages of the Present Invention

The present invention requires less pressure on the blade attachmentarm, combined with the advantage of more efficient scraping, which willresult in far fewer bent or broken scraper attachment arms.

Furthermore, the present invention, when mounted on acircumferentially-adjustable position scraper arm, will allow theoperator to adjust the scraping position to direct scraped soil to themost suitable “landing zone”.

In addition, the present invention requires less tension than longerlever arm, frame-mounted scrapers.

And the present invention enables potentially improved disc scrapingupon initial installation, and especially as wear occurs during use.More particularly, the present invention relies less on thecharacteristics of the support arm to provide blade tension on theopening disc. It is, therefore, adaptable to a wide range of support armconfigurations. Support arms can be shorter, lighter, positioneddifferently, and/or less precisely positioned. The present invention caneliminate the need for springs on the scraper arm and/or springproperties of the arm material.

The resilient tensioning clip 545 incorporates a dual torsion rod-typetensioning beneath scraper arm 505 (see FIGS. 59, 60, 61, 62, 62A, 62B,66B and 66C) which operates much like independent suspension arms,allowing edge 540 to receive very consistent torsion resistance on theradially-outboard blade surface and radially-inboard blade surface,simultaneously. In this respect it will be appreciated that resilienttensioning clip 545 owes much of its tensioning properties to a “torsionbar” effect. For example, in FIG. 66B, it can be seen that when liftingupward on the left side of scraper blade 520 while pushing downward onthe right side of scraper blade 520, a rotational twist or torque iscountered by the length of resilient tensioning clip 545. For furtherexample, in FIG. 66C, it can be seen that when pushing down on the leftside of scraper blade 520 while pushing upward on the right side ofscraper blade 520, a rotational twist or torque is countered by thelength of resilient tensioning clip 545. Thus, the resilient tensioningclip 545 provides a combination of (i) torsion bar resilience in thestraight lengths of the resilient tensioning clip, combined with (ii)the tight radius bends of the resilient tensioning clip which providegreat resistance to changing shape, so as to keep the resilienttensioning clip automatically returning to a neutral unflexed position.This group of forces allows scraper blade 520 to be positioned with amodest amount of flex and still pivot in any axis and automaticallyreturn to its original position.

8. Additional Features of the Present Invention

The present invention provides a scraper assembly having scraper bladetensioning means, such as a resilient tensioning clip 545 shown in FIGS.58, 59, 60-62, 62A, 62B, 63, 66A, 66B and 66C; a torsion spring; and atension spring such as is shown in FIG. 67.

9. Novel Frame-Mounted Scraper

It should also be appreciated that, if desired, scraper assembly 500,incorporating the aforementioned scraper blade 520 and resilienttensioning clip 545, may be mounted to frame 15 rather than to the hub511 of an opening disc. See, for example, FIG. 68.

10. Use of the Novel Scraper Assembly with Opening Discs Which May orMay Not Be Disposed Adjacent to Gauge Wheels

It should be appreciated that the novel scraper assembly of the presentinvention may be used with opening discs which may or may not bedisposed adjacent to gauge wheels. More particularly, in one form of theinvention, the novel scraper assembly may be used to scrape an openingdisc which is disposed adjacent to a gauge wheel. In another form of theinvention, the novel scraper assembly may be used to scrape an openingdisc which is not disposed adjacent to a gauge wheel, e.g., astand-alone opening disc secured to the frame of a farm implement, anopening disc which is disposed between two other opening discs (i.e., aspart of a gang of opening disc, etc.

Modifications

While the present invention has been described in terms of certainexemplary preferred embodiments, it will be readily understood andappreciated by those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, andthat many additions, deletions and modifications may be made to thepreferred embodiments discussed herein without departing from the scopeof the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A ground opening disc scraper assemblycomprising: a scraper arm having a proximal end and a distal end,wherein the proximal end is configured for mounting to a supportstructure; a scraper blade; and a tensioning clip or yieldably mountingthe scraper blade to the distal end of the scraper arm.
 2. A groundopening disc scraper assembly according to claim 1 wherein the supportstructure comprises the hub of an opening disc.
 3. A ground opening discscraper assembly according to claim 1 wherein the support structurecomprises the frame of a farm implement.
 4. A ground opening discscraper assembly according to claim 1 wherein the scraper arm has astepped profile, with a transition zone disposed between the proximalend of the scraper arm and the distal end of the scraper arm.
 5. Aground opening disc scraper assembly according to claim 1 wherein thescraper arm is rigid.
 6. A ground opening disc scraper assemblyaccording to claim 1 wherein the scraper arm is flexible.
 7. A groundopening disc scraper assembly according to claim 1 wherein the scraperblade comprises a substantially flat proximal portion and asubstantially flat distal portion, wherein the substantially flatproximal portion and the substantially flat distal portion are set at anangle to one another.
 8. A ground opening disc scraper assemblyaccording to claim 7 wherein the distal portion of the scraper bladecomprises an edge for scraping soil, mud and debris from the surface ofan opening disc.
 9. A ground opening disc scraper assembly according toclaim 1 wherein the scraper blade is rigid.
 10. A ground opening discscraper assembly according to claim 1 wherein the scraper blade isflexible.
 11. A ground opening disc scraper assembly according to claim1 wherein the resilient tensioning clip comprises an elongated flexiblebody defining an. elongated opening and terminating in a pair of ends,wherein the elongated opening is sized to receive a portion of thescraper blade therein.
 12. A ground opening disc scraper assemblyaccording to claim 11 wherein the scraper arm comprises a pair ofthrough-holes, and further wherein the ends of the resilient tensioningclip are configured to be received in the pair of through-holes.
 13. Aground opening disc scraper assembly according to claim 1 wherein thescraper arm is rigid, the scraper blade is rigid, and the flexing of thescraper blade away from the opening disc is accommodated entirely by theresilient tensioning clip.
 14. A ground opening disc scraper assemblyaccording to claim 1 wherein at least one of the scraper arm and thescraper blade is flexible, and the flexing of the scraper blade awayfrom the opening disc is accommodated by the resilient tensioning clipand by one or both of the scraper arm and the scraper blade.
 15. Aground opening disc scraper assembly according to claim 14 wherein themajority of the flexing of the scraper blade away from the opening discis accommodated by resilient tensioning clip.
 16. A ground opening discscraper assembly according to claim 1 wherein the scraper blade ishinged and the resilient tensioning clip is a tension spring.
 17. Aground opening disc scraper assembly according to claim 1 furthercomprising a stop for limiting movement of the scraper blade relative tothe scraper arm.
 18. A method for removing soil and debris from a groundopening disc, the method comprising: providing a ground opening disc anda ground opening disc scraper assembly, the ground opening disc scraperassembly comprising: a scraper arm having a proximal end and a distalend, wherein the proximal end is configured for mounting to a supportstructure; a scraper blade; and a tensioning clip for yieldably mountingthe scraper blade to the distal end of the scraper arm; and positioningthe ground opening disc scraper assembly adjacent to the ground openingdisc so that the scraper blade yieldably engages the ground openingdisc.
 19. A ground opening disc scraper assembly comprising: a scraperarm having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end isconfigured for mounting to a support structure; a hinged scraper blademounted to the distal end of the scraper arm; and a tensioning clip foryieldably biasing the hinged scraper blade against the opening disc. 20.A method for removing soil and debris from a ground opening disc, themethod comprising: providing a ground opening disc and a ground openingdisc scraper assembly, the ground opening disc scraper assemblycomprising: a scraper arm having a proximal end and a distal end,wherein the proximal end is configured for mounting to a supportstructure; a hinged scraper blade mounted to the distal end of thescraper arm; and a tension clip for yieldably biasing the hinged scraperblade against the opening disc; and positioning the ground opening discscraper assembly adjacent to the ground opening disc so that the scraperblade yieldably engages the ground opening disc.